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Industrial Injury

What Are Industrial
Injuries?

Industrial injuries
are injuries, diseases or disability that a worker acquired in the
course of performing their jobs. There is a wide variety of injuries
that are eligible for benefits. Workers who sustain such injuries
can claim benefits and more, based on their individual
circumstances.

Who Are Eligible To
Claim Benefits For Industrial Injuries?

For work related
accidents, you can claim Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit
under the following conditions: (1) you were employed at the time of
the accident occurred; and (2) the accident which led to the illness
and disability happened in England, Wales or Scotland.

For diseases, if you
were employed and discharging your job related duties which caused
your disease then you can claim benefits.

The government is
keen on protecting the well-being of the worker so there are quite a
lot of diseases covered. The list covers more than 70 diseases that
are eligible for benefits and are continuously updated.

What Are Some
Diseases Eligible For Coverage Under The Industrial Injuries
Disablement Benefit?

A few examples are
the following:

Diseases caused
by asbestos related work

Cataracts

Anthrax

Dermatitis

Leukaemia

Carpal Tunnel
Syndrome

Emphysema

Lyme Disease

Cirrhosis of the
Liver

Primary carcinoma
of the lung

Primary carcinoma
of the nasopharynx

Who Are Not Eligible
To Claim Benefits For Industrial Injuries?

If you were self
employed at the time of the accident, then you are not eligible for
benefits. Only those employed by persons other than themselves are
eligible to files claims for Industrial Injuries benefits.

What Are The Various
Categories Of Industrial Injury?

Industrial injuries
fall under two main categories:

First are work related diseases
which are diseases the worker contracted as a result of his
work. This can be caused by machinery, chemicals, environment
and other factors that are determined to be the cause of their
disease.

Second would be work related
accidents. These would cover accidents that occurred not only
because of machineries but any accident that is related to the
workers job.

The coverage of
Industrial Injuries is obviously large and it recognized diseases
that were previously thought to be unrelated to the workers job.

Thus should your
injury appear as though it is not covered initially, it is advisable
to locate the latest list as this is constantly updated as more data
is received.

How Much Can You
Receive?

The amount of benefits you will receive would depend on two main
factors.

Your age at the time of the injury; and

The magnitude of your injuries or disease. The severity of
your injury would be a major factor in determining the rightful
amount of your benefit. So the severity would be subject to
assessment by an accredited doctor and will be rated on a scale
from 1 to 100 percent.

Will Benefits From
Industrial Injuries Affect Your Other Benefits?

Benefits received for
industrial injuries may affect certain other benefits. Of special
note would be in cases where you have a low income for which you are
receiving income support and other types of support. These benefits
may be impacted by industrial injuries benefits.

To determine the
effect and magnitude if any of the industrial injuries benefits on
your other benefits, please consult with the office handling your
claims. This ensures that you will get a definitive and official
clarification of the effects on your other benefits.

What Are Other
Benefits That May Be Received Due To Industrial Accidents?

Depending on your
personal circumstances, you may receive one or more of the following
benefits:

Constant
Attendance Allowance can be claimed for diseases which commenced
prior to October 1, 1990 and which resulted in a 100% disability
rating which necessitates constant attention and care everyday.

Industrial
Injuries Disablement Benefit can be claimed in the event that
you are disabled from an accident that is related to your work

Exceptionally
Severe Disablement Allowance this additional benefit can be
claimed if your disability is of such severity that you are in
need of intermediate or exceptional constant care which
necessitates a permanent care giving arrangement

Retirement
Allowance can replace a reduced earnings allowance once you
reach the mandated age for State Pension Eligibility

When Do You Claim
For Benefits?

Regardless of
severity, it is highly recommended that a claim be filed by the
worker immediately after an industrial accident.

This holds true
whether there is an apparent injury or not or on whether the injury
appears mild. The prudent course of action would be to file for a
claim as long as there was in fact an incident of industrial injury.

The reason for this
is that injuries have been known to come out at a later time and if
no claim was filed then the worker will be ineligible to file a
claim for benefits. This may be the case even if future data would
later indicate that the accident was directly responsible for either
the workers disability or disease.

How Do You Claim For
Benefits?

The government, in
its mission to protect and enhance its workforce, has made it easy
to file claims for industrial injuries benefits.

The procedure only
requires accomplishing a form available at your regional Industrial
Injuries Disablement Benefit delivery centres. A PDF form may also
be available for download from the relevant government site.

There are numerous
Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit delivery centres around UK
for the convenience of workers.

Furthermore, there is
also a wealth of information available on the Department of Work and
Pensions regarding the coverage and the other pertinent information
regarding Industrial Injuries Benefits.

How will you receive
your benefits?

In most cases,
benefits are normally deposited directly to your bank account. It
may also be paid to your Post office or a National Savings Account.

For workers who are
blind or otherwise unable to move unaided, arrangements can be made
to allow another person to claim the benefits on your behalf.